Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

"Brother Huang, I plan to issue a decree to make Zhao Anren a scholar of the Imperial Academy in the near future. I don't know what Brother Huang thinks?"

"The person chosen by His Majesty can't be wrong. What's more, Zhao Anren is indeed a person with both talents. It is indeed the best choice to be promoted to the Imperial Academy."

"Actually, this was not decided by me alone. Before Liang Hao, a former Hanlin scholar, died of illness, I summoned him to inquire about the situation of important officials in the Taiwan Pavilion. At that time, Liang Hao recommended Chao Jiong and Sheng Yuanmin to me. Sheng Yuanmin is good at government affairs."

"Chao Jiong and Sheng Yuanmin do have personal strengths, but there are still shortcomings in being promoted to the position of Hanlin Bachelor."

"Brother Huang agrees with me, I didn't answer at that time, I just asked Liang Hanlin: How many writers like Zhao Anren are there?"

"Your Majesty has already taken a fancy to Mr. Zhao?"

"Yes, I already have someone in mind, but it's biased. I still want to see Liang Hanlin's opinion."

"Then how does he evaluate Mr. Zhao?"

"He said: An Ren is both talented and knowledgeable, the style is concentrated and far-reaching, and he seeks beauty, which has never been compared."

Defang nodded, "Your Majesty has the eyes to recognize talents, and Liang Hanlin's honest words have promoted talents. It seems that Mr. Zhao deserves to be promoted to a Bachelor of the Imperial Academy. However, Your Majesty, after Mr. Zhao is promoted to a Bachelor of the Imperial Academy, who should take up the post of imperial edict?"

"Brother Huang, this candidate is actually one of the two recommended by Liang Hanlin."

Defang thought for a while, "That's it. Chao Jiong who is good at writing and writing."

"It's him. This person has excellent literary talents, rigorous diction, and many good deeds in dealing with people. Although he is old, he is always eager to learn. He is easy-going and simple in nature, and he has never threatened his love." Zhenzong then said, "But before that, someone He once recommended to me Taichang Cheng and Mei Xun, the judge of the third department's household department."

[Mei Xun: Zi Changyan, a native of Xuanzhou, the third grandson of the Mei family in Xuancheng.In the second year of Emperor Taizong's Duangong period, Zhenzong paid great attention to him at the beginning of his accession to the throne, but after the "Chanyuan Alliance", Mei Xun was demoted and demoted to Hangzhou Tongju for being involved in inaccurate judgments.Since then, his official career has been ups and downs, and he has served as the governor of various places and the deputy envoy of Zhejiang and Zhejiang provinces. 】

"Mei Xun? As far as I know, Mr. Mei is good at discussing major affairs in the world, and he also took the initiative to volunteer in the Northwest War. He is indeed loyal and brave, but." Defang looked at Zhenzong and knew that he admired Mei Xun, so he said, " Your Majesty, may I forgive you for speaking bluntly."

Zhenzong was taken aback, "Brother Huang, what can you say?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty," De Fang said, "From what I know about Mr. Mei, he is strict, resolute and clean, and he is sharp and eloquent, but he discusses a lot of things with anger, and the spirit comes first. The practical matters need to be discussed later."

Zhenzong nodded slightly when he heard this, and Defang continued, "When Mei Xun was in office, he wandered around the mountains and rivers, wrote poems and chanted poems. Afterwards, there were still some inappropriate behaviors. The minister heard that Master Mei had recently made friends with a reckless man. This man had joined the army and was expelled later. His name was Liu Lishan. Many officials have made slight remarks on this, but Lord Mei has relied on His Majesty's mighty virtue to ignore the court's ban. Your Majesty, Lord Mei is indeed talented and learned, but how can the words of paper and pen be used to promote state affairs? I do not deny the loyalty and courage of Lord Mei who took the initiative to invite you. Heart, but there is a history of Zhao Kuo talking about troops on paper, leading the army to defeat and harming the country and the people. Mr. Mei is good at discussing wars. How many practical strategies have you offered? If Mr. Mei made a decree for knowing that he will be promoted to a high position in the future, I dare to ask Your Majesty, what else? Can you set an example for the officials in the temple?"

Zhenzong was silent for a while after hearing this, and said, "Brother Huang's words are from the bottom of his heart. I only know his loyalty and courage, and I don't think about other things. If Brother Huang didn't wake him up, I wouldn't use officials to miss the state affairs and people's livelihood."